Targeting polyamines of parasitic protozoa in chemotherapy

All parasitic protozoa contain polyamines and in recent years they, and their associated enzymes, have attracted attention as drug targets because they might reveal novel antiparasite therapies. How justified is this approach to drug discovery? In this review, Sylke Müller, Graham Coombs and Rolf Walter summarize the current status of research into drugs that exploit polyamine metabolism of trypanosomatid and malaria parasites, and propose priorities for research into such drugs. This review was inspired by an Expert Meeting entitled 'Polyamine Metabolism of Parasitic Protozoa as a Drug Target'.